Canon-Mac graduate witnesses Colorado flooding

Canon-Mac graduate witnesses Colorado flooding

Heavy rains turned creeks on the University of Colorado campus into raging rivers.

Photo by Addison Galambos

Floodwater pours through the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Heavy rains turned creeks surrounding the University of Colorado campus into raging rivers.

Photo by Addison Galambos

Students wade through floodwater on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Canon-McMillan graduate Addison Galambos, a student at the University of Colorado in Boulder, is experiencing firsthand the massive and devastating flooding in Colorado that left three people dead and caused the evacuation of thousands.

“It’s insane,” said Galambos, a junior chemical engineering major who graduated from Canon-McMillan in 2011.

“There are two creeks that run around the campus, and they look like raging rapids. It’s really bad.”

Galambos said floodwater filled the basement of the house he rents with other college students near the campus, and he and his roommates spent time Thursday carrying the belongings of the two people who live in the basement to higher ground.

The campus was completely shut down Thursday, and classes were canceled at least through Friday due to the severe flooding.

“On campus, a few of the dorms were evacuated,” said Galambos.

A news release from the school said about 400 students were evacuated from residence halls because of the flooding, and a quarter of the buildings on campus were flooded.

Galambos said students and residents have been urged to stay inside.

“It literally hasn’t stopped raining for the last two days,” Galambos said Thursday night. “It’s unbelievable.”

He and friends ventured to the campus Thursday and took photos that depict the flooded roads and underpasses filled with swiftly moving water.

“The roads are bad. We went to the creeks, and the water in the underpasses is at least up to your waist,” Galambos said.

The threat of heavy rain and flooding is forecast to continue through the weekend.

Karen Mansfield

Staff Writer

Karen Mansfield is an award-winning journalist and mom of five who has been a staff writer for the Observer-Reporter since 1988. She enjoys reading, the Pittsburgh Steelers, a good glass of wine and nice people.